Psychedelics, Harm Reduction, and Life's Big Questions: Making Sense of Spirituality and Religion After the Journey
Lisa L. Gezon, Kenton Bartlett
Anthropology of Consciousness August 27, 2025 DOI: 10.1111/anoc.70010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Ethnographic study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Members of a psychedelic integration group in the Southeastern U.S. |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Spirituality Religious experience Harm Thematic analysis Mental health Ethnography Mental illness Psychotherapist Qualitative research Religious studies Theology Social science Alternative medicine Anthropology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic encounters helped some to resolve religious conflicts and nearly all reported a greater sense of spiritual connection, while challenges included religious condemnation, absent experiences, and difficulties interpreting ineffable occurrences. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT The interplay between psychedelic use, mental health, and spiritual, religious, or ‘mystical’ experiences continues to be investigated through clinical research. While many studies focus on general mechanisms underlying these compounds, analysis of real‐life accounts from individuals is underrepresented. To fill that gap, this ethnographic study explores the question of how members of a psychedelic integration group in the Southeastern U.S. perceive the impact of psychedelics on their spiritual and religious outlook. Thematic analysis revealed that psychedelic encounters helped some to resolve religious conflicts, such as estrangement from religion or adverse religious associations, while nearly all reported a greater sense of spiritual connection. Noted challenges included perceived or actual religious condemnation of psychedelics, the absence of sought‐after experiences, and difficulties interpreting ineffable occurrences. Findings reinforce the need for attention to spirituality when addressing psychedelic use and mental health, arguing that doing so reduces harm and optimizes benefits.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... | 2017 | Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis | n = 10 |
| Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns | 2011 | Mixed-methods study | n = 139 |
| Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective | 2004 | Interview | |
| Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics Psychedelic drug users | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 50 |
| Auras in mysticism and synaesthesia: a comparison. Synaesthetes who experience colors in response to human faces and figures | 2012 | Qualitative study | n = 4 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 67
- Psychedelics and the essential importance of context. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 15, 2018
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- Psychedelics, Mystical Experience, and Therapeutic Efficacy: A Systematic Review Frontiers in Psychiatry July 12, 2022
- Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology October 21, 2022
- The psychedelic renaissance and the limitations of a White-dominant medical framework: A call for indigenous and ethnic minority inclusion Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 1, 2019
and 62 more in the library